My Back Has Never Felt Better—Yoga for Scoliosis

I found out I had scoliosis when I was in junior high and it was devastating. After many doctors’ visits and enough radiation from X-rays to make me lethal, I was finally fitted for a back brace. If you think going through junior high was a nightmare, try hiding a back brace under baggy clothes for three years when you’re trying to look cool and fit in. Good times!

I can look back at junior high now and laugh, but the pain associated with having a curve in my back has haunted me throughout most of my adult life. I think everyone with back pain knows you’re supposed to do stretches and exercises to strengthen your back but let’s face it—we never do.

But I have to tell you, for the first time in my adult life, my back feels great, and I am attributing my victory over pain to my practice of yoga.

When I practice yoga it is one big workout to strengthen my back. Yoga stretches and strengthens the muscles around your spine and lengthens your spine, and this is exactly what I needed to deal with the curvature in my spine caused by the scoliosis. My back pain did not go away overnight; it took a while for the benefits of my yoga practice to take effect, but it is so worth it.

I recently did the 50-minute Yoga for ScoliosisDVD workout with Elise Browning Miller. Elise has been teaching yoga since 1976 and has successfully used it to minimize the effects of her own scoliosis. In the DVD she has four additional people practice with her who also have various forms of scoliosis. Elise does an excellent job of pointing out different adjustments that can be made to each pose to deal with the various curvatures of the spine.

The practice is taught in the method of yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar and includes information and an interview with an orthopedic surgeon. If you are new to yoga, this is a great DVD, providing helpful instructions for each pose. The practice is made up of three parts:

Part 1: Breathing and spinal-lengthening poses (16 minutes); these are great basic poses to lengthen the spine.

Part 3: Restorative, releasing, and relaxing poses (16 minutes); relaxing poses to derotate the spine and align the hips.

And my favorite part: it ends with Savasana. There’s also a bonus section with six additional postures done with props (wall stretch, down dog, shoulder stretch, warrior 1 with wall, chair twist, and 3-part pull).

If you have scoliosis or back pain and have never tried yoga, I highly recommend this informative and helpful yoga DVD. It provides a great introduction to the practice and has all the best poses that have helped me tremendously in eliminating back pain and improving my posture. Plus, it beats the alternatives. Who wants to take painkillers or have surgery when you can work out the kinks in your back on a yoga mat?

Hi Sydney –
I know how it feels to be a teenager and have scoliosis. I really feel yoga can help you feel better. Talk to your doctor to see if yoga will help with your kind of scoliosis and hopefully there is a yoga studio near where you live. I will be in contact with you via email.
Namaste,
Maria

This is my story exactly. I found out I had scoliosis in junior high and wore a back brace for 3 years. I have been to a chiropractor ever since. I have just recently tried yoga and I love it. Thank you for sharing I will give it. Try

I agree, you worded this so well. I went though the same thing. I started at the age of 13 and it went on till I was 18. I’m also looking for yoga to do for my back since I’m turning 60 the aches and pains are getting worse.

I too thought you were writing about my life. I was diagnosed at 13 with scoliosis and wore a back brace for 3 years. I am now in my mid 40’s and have been practicing Yoga for approximately 7 years and before that Pilates. Yoga has been amazing for me, for both my physical and mental health. I have also included a foam roller into my practice to help with those tight muscles.

My son had spine fusion surgery t3-l4 do you have yoga moves he could benefit from? Preferably in a DVD… I would appreciate your help. My son had scheurmans kyphosis and is extremely tight and needs to build his core, muscle mass and fkexion . Thanks

Elise also has a new book out titled Yoga for Scoliosis – A Path for teachers and students. I have not read it, but you may want to check it out. She has been working with scoliosis and yoga and is one of the best in the field for this topic.